Great British high streets worth celebrating
18 Jun 2014 03:18 PM
Brandon Lewis launches a
national competition to find our Great British high
streets.
The search is on to find our
Great British high streets as a new report reveals increasing optimism among
shoppers and the growing popularity of ‘click-and-collect’
services.
A national competition, the
Great British High Street Awards, is being launched today (18 June 2014) by
High Streets Minister Brandon Lewis, alongside new evidence showing that our
high streets are rising to the challenge set by consumers who want increased
convenience and more flexibility of services on the high
streets.
The search to find and celebrate
the best high streets in the country is being run by the Future High Streets
Forum and the Association of Town and
City Management. There are 6 separate categories in recognition of the
diversity of Britain’s high streets:
- city centre
- town centre
- market town
- coastal
community
- village
- parade of
shops
The government’s long-term
economic plan has supported local high streets with a billion pound package of
investment that includes targeted business rate discounts, sensible planning
changes and action tackling over-zealous parking practices.
Many high streets affected by
the economy in 2008 are now thriving as a result of changes made to serve their
communities in increasingly popular ways and High Streets Minister Brandon
Lewis believes this should be recognised. He said:
Whether it is a market town,
coastal village or city centre, there are so many high streets across Britain
doing fantastic work and now every community will be able to get behind their
home town’s bid to show how popular they are.
This competition will discover
where the Great British high streets are and celebrate their brilliance. I want
the public to tell my panel of experts why their area should win. The most
popular will get all the accolades that come with being named the best in
Britain when we announce the winners in autumn.
The competition comes as new
analysis by Experian found
that high street managers and shop owners are positive about the future thanks
to a strengthening economy and the emergence of the ‘one stop
shopper’ who prioritises convenience and leisure. This is contributing to
greater footfall and people spending more time on the high
street.
The study identifies the rise of
this evolving consumer behaviour where shoppers prefer ‘convenience
culture’ such as click-and-collect services so they can multi-task and
have more time to socialise while doing their shopping in this convenient
way.
Different parts of the country
are catering for this in a variety of ways, whether it is giving older people
easier access to services, helping bargain hunters browse the best deals online
or offering city dwellers more fun and variety. This shift is being reflected
in a high street that is rapidly moving beyond traditional retail into a
‘Great British’ experience. The report points to the steady growth
of convenience stores (+153%), cafes (+75%), fast food (+30%) and restaurants
(+20%) as proof of this evolution.
Simon Roberts, Future High
Street Forum Co-Chairman added:
High streets and town centres
form the heart of many communities. They are what many towns are defined by and
provide a focal point for local populations. I welcome the Great British High
Street Awards and the opportunity they provide to celebrate and recognise the
practical management, planning and development that towns are delivering. On a
personal level I am keen to see and learn from the success stories that will
come through from the award entries.
Martin Blackwell, Chief
Executive Association of Town and City Management said:
This report really does
highlight that our high streets, towns and city centres each have their own
unique personalities. With strong partnership, shared plans for the future and
effective management, our local spaces will continue to play a key role in
improving the wellbeing of those who live, work and play there and continue
their role as vibrant, economically successful and importantly places for
people and business. The launch of this competition is an ideal opportunity for
communities to celebrate what makes their high streets special and show off
what makes their local area unique.
Paula Vennells, Chief Executive
of the Post Office said:
Our High Streets are reinventing
themselves and the Post Office is at the heart of those communities, available
where and when our customers need us. We are delighted to be partnering in this
campaign.
Further
information
The Experian report co-authored
by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) can be viewed on
the ATCM
website.
Key findings include that
people:
- are getting older - high streets
must offer good service and leisure in nice, safe local
places
- want leisure experiences the
most - high streets must not only offer unique retail, but social and cultural
experience too
- want to be able to live on their
own terms - high streets must provide more choice
- are using technology in everyday
life - high streets must provide information, shopping, socialising and deal
hunting
- are driven by
value
Town teams will be able to apply
for 1 of 6 categories which recognise the diversity of high
streets:
- city centre
- town centre
- market town
- coastal
community
- local centre, ie precinct or
parade of shops
- village
There is also a London specific
category - further details can be found atwww.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.
The competition will be held
throughout the summer. Town teams are invited to nominate their high streets
and bids will be published online so communities can show their backing
alongside atwww.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk. Then experts from the Future High Streets
Forum will decide who are the best from a shortlist.
Support the competition
using #GBHighSt on Twitter.
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